Find out how popular the last name Tettey is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Tettey.

Tettey, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Tettey surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tettey in America

Tettey is the 139228th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tettey surname appeared 120 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Tettey.

The history of the last name Tettey

The surname Tettey has its origins in Ghana, West Africa, with roots tracing back to the 18th century. It is believed to have originated from the Akan language, spoken by various ethnic groups in the region, including the Ashanti and Fante people.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tettey can be found in historical documents from the British colonial era in Ghana, formerly known as the Gold Coast. During this period, many Ghanaian names were anglicized or adapted to fit the European naming conventions.

The name Tettey is thought to be derived from the Akan word "tetee," which means "father" or "ancestor." This suggests that the surname may have been initially used to identify individuals as descendants of a particular lineage or clan.

In the late 18th century, a prominent figure named Tettey Kwao Ansah is mentioned in historical records as a powerful chief and ruler of the Fante people. He played a significant role in defending his territory against the Ashanti Empire, forming alliances with the British and Dutch forces.

Another notable individual with the surname Tettey was Kwame Nkrumah Tettey, a Ghanaian educator and writer born in 1892. He was a pioneering figure in the development of education in Ghana and authored several books on African history and culture.

In the 20th century, the name Tettey gained further recognition with Kwesi Tettey, a Ghanaian boxer who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. Despite not winning a medal, his participation brought international attention to the surname.

Henrietta Tettey, born in 1920, was a prominent Ghanaian journalist and activist who advocated for women's rights and social justice. She played a crucial role in the fight for Ghana's independence and was recognized for her contributions to the country's political and cultural landscape.

Throughout history, variations of the surname Tettey have been recorded, such as Tetteh, Tette, and Tety, reflecting the diverse linguistic and cultural influences in the region. However, the core meaning and significance of the name as a representation of ancestry and lineage have remained consistent.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tettey

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Tettey.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Tettey was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Tettey was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Tettey, please contact us.

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